ST. LOUIS – Illinois State sophomore middle linebacker Tye Niekamp played one of his best games of the season in Illinois State's regular season finale win over North Dakota, and for his efforts was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season on Monday.
Niekamp joined quarterback Michael Lindauer of Southern Illinois (Offensive Player of the Week), linebacker Nate Ewell of South Dakota (Newcomer of the Week) and wide receiver/return specialist Sergio Morancy of UNI (Special Teams Player of the Week) as this week's conference honorees.